The frustration of...nothing!

ostera15
ostera15 Posts: 23
edited October 3 in Motivation and Support
I have come to the conclusion that I can sit on the couch with a pint of ice cream and gain a small amount or I can work my butt of and eat healthy 90% of the time and lose and regain the same 3 pounds over and over. I know this because I have been 20 pounds overweight for the past 16 years and I have tried both over those past years. I have managed to get under 140 once, I spent a year working out over 2 hours a day and lived on salads, I made in all the way down to 136 (for my height normal BMI is under 125). Now I know that there are people here that will look at my 20 pounds and wonder why I feel frustration when that's "not a lot" to lose. When you have been trying to get rid of it for this long it feels like a lot. Also, I am one of those lucky women how carries it all in the waist (it's over the unhealthy line) so those 20 pounds are effecting my health. I am starting to feel like there is no point any more and I am ready to either give up or jump on the diet pill bandwagon.

Replies

  • skcornett
    skcornett Posts: 169 Member
    Hang in there. Whether it's 20 lbs or 100, it's a battle. I have been playing with .8 lb for 10 days. SO frustrating! I tried to change up the mix of what I was eating to see if that changed anything - not really.

    Feel free to add me for ongoing encouragement!
  • AggieCass09
    AggieCass09 Posts: 1,867 Member
    i hear you...i've been in the same four pound range since JANUARY!!!

    BUT you can do it. Take an honest look at what you are eating...is it processed stuff or fairly natural?
    have you tried lifting weights? this boosts your metabolism and can lead to toning your body and weight loss

    maybe your body is just comfortable...just mix things up :)

    reading my "how did you do it" below in my signature may help you to.

    Whatever you do, don't give up....you are worth putting in the effort for!
  • kmbrooks15
    kmbrooks15 Posts: 941 Member
    Don't do the diet pill thing. They are stimulants that really aren't good for you.

    You have to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. I know it's frustrating; I lost 10 pounds, then kept the same 2 pounds going on and off, on and off. But I kept at it, and the scale IS moving again. You said yourself that because you're carrying the extra weight around your waistline (that's where mine is, too!), it's affecting your health. It's worth it to keep fighting for it.

    When I get frustrated, I put the scale away and don't let myself get back on it for a week or two. Usually I find that it comes off. You may want to try changing up your exercise, too. If you've been walking, try swimming or something different. Sometimes your body just gets too accustomed to what you've been doing and stops responding. You have to shake things up. Maybe try, too, doing a week or two where you don't count calories. Eat what you want, but don't go overboard. Change up your exercise. Then after a week, pick back up with counting. See if that helps.

    You might also consider seeing your doctor. Has your thyroid been checked? Do you have any insulin issues? Might be worth a checkup to make sure it's not a physical issue that's causing you to hold onto that last few pounds. I've heard others say, too, that the last 10-20 are the hardest to get rid of.

    The main thing is, DON'T GIVE UP. You just have to keep pushing through.
  • hooma
    hooma Posts: 124 Member
    I understand that you've been trying to lose weight for a long time, but how long have you been tracking calories? I see that you joined in August so that should have been enough time to see some movement but, looking at your diary, it doesn't seem that you log consistently, unless you really don't eat dinner most nights.

    I would suggest giving yourself two months of logging EVERYTHING and EVERYDAY before you give up on doing this the healthy way. On days that you mess up and go over, be that much under the next day, or spread out over two days if you have to.

    I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!
  • Bbethel
    Bbethel Posts: 12
    I know EXACTLY how you feel. Thanks to my huspband, I'm learning the art of patience. This can't be a fad for you, but a lifestyle. I was like you...always eating salads..depriving myself, then bingeing. Set realistic goals for yourself, pehaps half a pound per week. Then figure out how many calories you can each eat day, balance the "bad" foods with healthy, and try to get at least 2-3 days of cardio and weights in each week. It's a lot slower, but you will begin to see lasting results and you will be making a LIFESTYLE change.

    I started at 172 and am now down to 154 in 7 months. Some weeks I do great, and some weeks I fall WAY off the bandwagon. Do it for yourself and be patient!
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